The curtain comes down on Royal Ascot with seven fine races carded for day five. Get all of our tips and picks here!
Race 1 – Chesham Stakes – GOLDEN MIND 12/1
GOLDEN MIND could get the proceedings off to a winning start in the Chesham Stakes where he attempts to join his half-brother Perfect Power on the Ascot roll of honour.
Perfect Power of course excelled over five and six furlongs when winning at back-to-back Royal meetings, but GOLDEN MIND seems to have that extra bit of stamina to go with a touch of class and he could be perfect for this seven-furlong assignment.
Third on debut at Hamilton, he relished the move up to six furlongs when getting off the mark at Leicester and handler Richard Fahey expects there is more to come as he moves through the distances.
Race 2 – Jersey Stakes – THE ANTARCTIC 4/1
Covey landed a treble in comfortable style at Haydock last month but, given the last 10 winners hadn’t run in a handicap on their previous start, it could pay to side with THE ANTARCTIC.
A game winner of the Lacken Stakes at Naas most recently, Aidan O’Brien’s inmate has shaped as though he can progress further for stepping up in trip.
He lost little in defeat behind Blackbeard in in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last September and the 750,000gns purchase rates the one to beat.
ENFJAAR cost 240,000gns as a foal and caught the eye when beating subsequent Lingfield Derby Trial winner Military Order into fourth on his debut at Newmarket.
Roger Varian’s charge made it 2-2 when bolting up under a penalty at Chelmsford on his most recent run and he likely has more to offer. OLIVIA MARALDA and ZOOLOGY add further spice to a competitive renewal.
Race 3 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – ARTORIUS 5/1
ARTORIOUS can secure Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes redemption when he takes a second bite at the Royal Ascot cherry this weekend.
Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Antipodean raider was an unlucky third in the six-furlong Group One 12 months ago with rider Jamie Spencer repeatedly finding his passage blocked having held the son of Flying Artie up in the early stages.
Despite that trouble in running, Artorius still managed to finish third beaten less than a length.
The four-year-old stayed in Europe to run respectably in both the July Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest and has taken his form to the next level since returning Down Under.
He claimed the Group One Canterbury Stakes at Randwick in March before going on to finish a close-up fourth to Australian star Anamoe in the George Ryder Stakes, with connections working hard on ensuring Artorius is sharper away in his races and more comfortable racing closer to the pace.
If that diligent work from his training team comes to fruition here, there is every chance she can follow in the footsteps of Choiser and Black Caviar to win this for the Aussies, with southern hemisphere king James McDonald in the saddle.
Race 4 – Hardwicke Stakes – HUKUM
HUKUM is hard to oppose in the Hardwicke Stakes as he bids for a second victory at the Royal meeting.
Owen Burrows’ charge was a Group One winner last year and following what at one stage looked like a career-ending injury, returned better than ever to down last year’s Derby winner in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
A return to 12 furlongs should pose few issues at a venue he has won twice and never finished outside of the first three.
His owners Shadwell could have already celebrated a winner on the card with Enfjaar in the Jersey Stakes.
Race 5 – Wokingham Stakes – KING’S LYNN 18/1
The King and Queen could have a real chance of getting on the scoreboard with track regular KING’S LYNN in the ultra-competitive Wokingham Stakes.
ORAZIO looked a potential Group-class performer when running out an impressive winner over course and distance last month and a 9lb rise might not be enough to stop him from landing the hat-trick.
The form of his Newmarket victory at the Craven meeting was backed up by the runner-up, PROBE, who is in opposition again having won on 2000 Guineas day.
Connections have managed to book Ryan Moore for the ride and he has to warrant plenty of respect.
KHANJAR sports cheekpieces for the first time and has threatened to win a prize of this nature, while others worth noting include BIELSA, the former Ayr Gold Cup hero who scored at York last month, and FLAMING RIB, who was runner-up in last year’s Commonwealth Cup.
Race 6 – Golden Gates Handicap – LION OF WAR 6/1
Those drawn high have tended do well since the inauguration of this contest in 2020, with the first three places in last year’s renewal filled by runners drawn 13 and above. With that in mind, it may pay to take a chance on LION OF WAR.
Having won his first two starts last summer, Charlie Johnston’s colt bounced back to form in eye-catching fashion when powering home to win well over 1m1f at Musselburgh three weeks ago and a 4lb rise still leaves him on a fair mark now back up in trip.
CANUTE won with ease on his second appearance in a handicap at Navan earlier in the month and Aidan O’Brien’s colt is feared most, despite the handicapper raising him 11lb in the ratings.
KNOCKBREX lost little in defeat when finishing fourth to subsequent Queen’s Vase third Chesspiece at York last month and completes the shortlist now eased in distance.
Race 7 – Queen Alexandra Stakes – DAWN RISING 2/1
Joseph O’Brien’s DAWN RISING can bring the curtain down on the meeting in style in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes.
He was a respectable third in the Saval Beg last time, but a real stamina test is just what the gelded son of Galileo craves and this marathon trip should be right up his street as Ryan Moore dons the familiar silks of leading National Hunt owner JP McManus.
